SACRAMENTO— Today, Assemblymember Jose Medina’s (D-Riverside) bill, which would make ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement, passed the Assembly Floor with 54-19 vote.

AB 2772 would require high schools students to take a semester of ethnic studies in order graduate, beginning in the 2023-24 school year. The ethnic studies curriculum that will be implemented is currently being developed by the Instructional Quality Commission of the State Board of Education.

“The history that students learn in school is typically narrow in focus and perspective, said Assemblymember Medina. Requiring ethnic studies helps ensure that all students learn about the diverse histories of the people that make up America. I’m grateful that my Assembly colleagues also recognize the importance of this legislation and want to celebrate California’s diversity by including it in our classrooms.”

The Assembly also approved two additional bills from Assemblymember Medina’s higher education legislative package, AB 2722 and AB 3186. AB 2722 increases access to financial aid grants for California’s Servicemembers, and AB 3186 allows the University of California and California Community Colleges to use “best value” procurement methodology to purchase goods, services, and materials indefinitely, which will save millions of taxpayer dollars per year.